Corn planter



(No Model.) J E PAGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1'.

CORN PLANTER.

No. 328,056. Patented Oct. 13, 1885.

2 Shets-Sheet 2.

J. E. PAGE.

001m PLANTER.

(No Model.)

No. 328,056. Patented 001;. 13, 1885.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JUSTIN E. PAGE, OF EosEDALE, KAnsAs, Assrenon OF ONE-HALF TO GILES F. WING, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.

CORN-PLANTER.

.ILPECEFKCATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 328,056, dated October 13, 1885.

Application filed August 29, 1884. Serial No. 141,787. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J USTIN E. PAGE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rosedale, in the county of Wyandotte and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn -Planters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying d rawings, forming part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to effect by the means of gravity a compensating balance on the machine,by which means a planter, in passing over uneven surfaces of the ground, or in ascending or descending declivities in the fields, shall be enabled to adjust itself to and equalize the distance between the rows by regaining the distance lost by the planter while passing over said uneven or declivitous surfaces,preserving thereby the alignments in the rows and their proper distances apart, and dispensing with the check-rower cord; and it consists in the novel means and mechanisms for self adjustment, and also in the novel con struction and combination of their respective parts, which will first be fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view, of a corn-planting. machine, showing the relative location and arrangement thereon of my improvements and their various parts. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine, taken on the line at x of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the machine,taken on the liney y of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged View of a segmental portion of the two disks, showing the elevating-bar and'pawls.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts.

A A represent the side bars to the frame of the carriage.

B is a transverse end bar.

O is a transverse central bar on which is pivoted the oscillating lever K.

D E are transverse front bars to which tongue F is attached.

G G are the hoppers supported by the seedconducting tube 9, and in line with the bearing-wheels L L.

g is the dropping-plate in hopper G attached to bar I.

H is ashoe attached to the forward part of the carriage, and supporting the seed-dropping tube 9.

I is a reciprocating bar to which the seeddropping plates are attached.

K is an oscillating lever. roller on the end of lever K.

k? is a bolt securing lever K to the transverse bar Q.

L L are the bearing-wheels supporting the frame of the carriage.

M M is a weighted balancelever in two parts on the axle N of the carriage.

'm is a connecting-bar for the opposite parts of the weighted lever M.

m is an an angular extension of the weighted lever M.

m is ashoulder on the angular extension m.

m is a friction-roller on the shoulder m.

N is the axle to the planter, attached rigidly to the bearingwheels L L.

k is a friction- O is a disk, having a sleeve, 0, and spline 0.

0 0 are radial arms on disk 0.

o 0 are elevatingbars attached to the arms 0 by the pivots 0 0 o 0 are springs attached to the arm 0 at one end, and resting upon the elevatingbar 0 at the other.

0 is a friction-roller on the side of elevating-bar 0 and attached movably thereto by pivot 0 0 0 are pawls pivoted on the end of elevating-bar 0 0 0 are friction-rollers on the side of elevating-bar 0 0 is a curved stud for the friction-roller 0*.

0 are springs on the side of elevating-bar o, and extending to the pawls 0 0 0 are rabbets in the elevating-bar o for the pawls.

l? is a stationary cam on the transverse central bar, 0. p is a bolt for attaching the same.

R is an independently-rotating disk on axle N, in frictional contact with disk 0.

r r are cams extending from the side and beyond the periphery of the disk R, and inclined to the left and right alternately.

r is the serrated or ratchet-toothed periphery of the disk R.

ICO

S is a yoke attached to the longitudinal bar 8.

s is the pivot, and s a fish-bolt, for the attachment of bar 8 to the transverse end bar, B.

s is the curved guide-track on the yoke S.

T is a spring on axle N, andt a collar on said axle, retaining the spring T in tension against the disk R.

U is a flat spring attached to the weighted lever M on either side at one end, and clamped together above the axle N, to obtain the proper tension, by screwbolt it.

In the construction of my invention and mechanism employed by me herein I make a weighted lever, M, of such dimensions at its lower end as will afford a suitable balance to its upper portion and connecting mechanism thereof, which latter end is tapered to a width proportionately to its strength, and inclined to a requisite degree in the transverse direction of the frame of the machine, to afford the proper connection with the mechanism hereinafter described.

The lower portion of the weighted lever M is constructed preferably in two parts for the purpose of balancing the machine, and is perforated transversely through its narrow and central portion, the said perforation being made to receive the axle N. The upper inclined portion of the weighted lever M is then bent at an angle to the plane of the inclined portion, so that it bears the same parallel relation to the axle N, and is provided with a shoulder, m and a friction-roller, m The portion of the weighted lever M provided with the roller m is then fitted upon the axle of a planter so as to move freely thereon. This planter may be of ordinary construction, having the side bars, A A, transverse bars D E, center bar, C, and end bar, B, suitable to its strength and for convenient attachments. I then construct the yoke Sfrom suitable metal, of the proper breadth to allow surface for a track for the friction-roller on the end of the weighted lever M, and make said yoke of the proper width to allow for the various inclinations of the carriage-frame and give a bearing for the lever to play forward and backward within the yoke S. The yoke'S I extend to within a short'distance of the transverse bar of the carriage-frame and attach each end to a 1ongitudinal and horizontal bar, 8, which bar is pivoted at its extreme end to the transverse end bar, B, by the bolts 8 and s. The yoke S is then suspended on the roller m on the weighted lever M in the longitudinaldirection of the carriage. Instead, however, of attaching the yoke S to the longitudinal bar 8' it may be constructed of a sufficient length toreach the frame of the carriage and be held in suitable guides thereon, thereby permitting an upward movement of the yoke, but at right angles with the machine, instead of in a curved inclination derived from its connection with the longitudinally-pivoted lever.

Upon the inner face of the yoke, and on the Opposite side in relation to the weighted lever M, a requisite distance between the 1ongitudinal bar 3 and the bow of the yoke to adapt it to the purposes hereinafter described, I rigidly attach a curved bar or inclined guidetrack, 8 the position of said longitudinal bar bar 8 being to the said guide in the same relation asachord toits segment. I then make a smooth-faced disk, 0, of a diameter proportionately large or small as the frictional surface is required in the operation of the machine, extending from the axial point of the said disk 0 a slight distance above the longitudinal bar 8. Upon said disk 0 I form the radial arms 0 in any required number, which project from the periphery of said disk 0, and at equal distances apart. A sleeve, 0, is formed on one side of the disk 0, and perforated, the perforation extending transversely through the said disk 0 at the center, and made to fit the axle N, so that when the disk 0 is placed on the said axle N the sleeve 0 is pointed in the direction of the weighted lever-arm, and also that in the rotation of the arms 0 the said arms shall not contact with the guidetrack 5 on the yoke S. A spline, 0, is then inserted in the sleeve 0, and longitudinally with axle N, which serves to rigidly lock the disk 0 to the axle N and compel the revolution of the former in union with the latter. I then make a smooth-faced disk, R, of the proper thickness, and upon its periphery form the ratchet-teeth r. The diameter of disk B may be of any suitable size. shown, slightly above the position ofthe guidetrack 8 on yoke S from its pivotal point. I then make a perforation through the disk R centrally, and larger in size'than the circum-' ference of the axle N, so that the said disk may rotate freely and independently of and on said axle. The disk R is then placed upon axle N in close contact with the fixed disk 0. A spring, T, around the axle is brought to bear outwardly against the side of the disk R opposite to that in contact with the disk 0, and a collar, 25, on said axle is made to slide against said spring and increase or decrease the tension.

Upon the side of disk R, projecting beyond its periphery, are cams r r, the faces of which are inclined alternately to the left and to the right, and extend so far from the said disk that they shall impinge against roller on the oscillating lever K, said lever K being pivoted on the transverse bar 0 on the carriage.

To the end of each of the radial arms 0 of the disk 0, Ihinge an elevating-bar, 0 This bar oiwhen attached to said arms 0 by the pivot 0 extends tangentially over the ratchetteeth on the periphery of disk 0, and is provided with a curved stud, 0 which extends laterally from near the center of said bar 0, inclining downwardly and passing over the ratchet-toothed disk 0 to a point slightly above the guide-track s", and upon its end I affix a friction-roller, 0 To the opposite end of the elevating-bar 0, to which it is attached to the It extends, as

radial arms 0 I pivotally attach in the rah bets 0 side by side in the longitudinal direction of the said bar 0 the pawls 0 0 one of said pawls being made shorter in length than its fellow pawl as would be equal to the relative distance between one ratchet-tooth and another adjoining tooth. On the correspond ing side of the elevating-bar oiwith the curved stud carrying the roller 0, and attached to the same pivot which passes through the elevating-bar, and secures thereto the pawls 0 0 is a friction-roller, 0 in close relation to said bar 0 and in the radii of the disk 0, to the arms 0 of which the elevatingbar 0 is attached.

A cam, P, having its upper end curved rearwardly from the disks, is attached to the transverse bar 0 on the carriage-frame in the line of rotation of the friction-rollers 0 on the elevating-bar 0 ,when said bar 0 carrying said roller is in a normal or extended relation, which relation is preserved by the spring 0*. The said spring 0 extends from the end of radial arm 0 to which it is secured, and bears adjustably with its free end upon the upper side of the bar 0 A second spring is attached to the end of the elevating-bar 0 near to or around the pivot for friction-roller 0, and its free end bent at right angles and rested upon the pawls o 0 thus keeping the pawls and bar down in an extended position until the mechanism is at work.

The vibrating lever K is attached by the bolt to a suitable bracket (shown in Fig. l)

on the outer side of the transverse bar 0, and also to the reciprocating bar I, which moves the seed-dropping plates 9, as shown.

In the operation of my mechanism its important effect is obtained whenever the driving-wheels of the planter are subjected to uneven or inclined surfaces of ground, and these variations cause asimilar elevation or depression, to a certain degree, of the frame-work of the planter. The weighted lever then acts as a compensating balance to the yoke S, e1evating the said yoke in a proportionate degree to the variations in the longitudinal movements of the frame of the carriage either way from a horizontal position, and by so doing raises the guide-track s to a proportionate distance.

The disk R, carrying the cams r, is rotated by its frictional contact with disk 0, each cam on said disk striking the vibrating. bar K at regular intervals for the proper dropping of the seed until this regularity in rotation is arrested automatically by the elevatingarm 0, carrying the pawls 0 0 which pawls are thrown by the elevation of the guide-track, upon which the friction-rollers 0 traverse at an angle, as seen in dotted lines, thus permitting the pawls to be drawn over the ratchet-toothed surface of the disk a suitable engaging distance to register the variation in the movements of the frame of the planter, and so that the time of dropping the seed may be governed without checking the flow of the seed. In this position an engagement of the pawls in the ratchet-toothed periphery of the disk is an equivalent to the variations of the planter-frame, occasioned by its elevation or depression, and the roller 0 is brought sharply in contact with the cam R on the carriage frame, which depresses the elevating-bar 0 and the pawls 0 o in its normal position, thereby retarding the rotation of the disk It in an equal degree to the distance engaged by the pawls when elevated.

In order to overcome any distance that may be lost in passing over a level field when the frame of the planter is not changed from a horizontal position, the arm of the weighted lever may be made of such a length as to keep the yoke suitably elevated, and consequently the guide-track a proportionate height. This result will cause the elevating-arm carrying the pawl to be raised at each revolution of the rigidly fixed armed disk, and upon level ground a suitable retarding movement is then given to the ratchet-toothed disk at constant intervals, causing the planter to gain distance, which retarding movement is augmented when the wheels of the planter pass over any uneven surface, which would change the position of the frame of the planter, the result being the checking of the rows in both cases.

In order to indicate the guiding of the machine in a straight line, and the distance laterally between the rows, which varies according to the surface of the ground, I propose using a novel marker, which will be made the subject of a separate application. This marker I do not deem it necessary to illustrate in this application, the object gained herein be ing to maintain the proper dropping of the corn at the required intervals when the ma chine is driven in a straight line, and irrespective of the condition of the ground.

The machine must be started at the end of the row, with the lower end of the seed-spout in line transversely with the preceding rows.

The independently-rotating ratchet-toothed disk must then be moved back by hand until one of the projecting cams on said disk is directly in contact with the friction roller on the end of the lever operating the seed-dropping devices. Then upon starting the machine and continuing in a straight line the results will be attained.

It will be evident that the independentlyrotating disk may be turned back by hand, should, from any cause, it be necessary, while crossing a field, and with the same facility as when starting at the end of a row.

I do not limit myself specifically to the devices herein shown, as they may be modified without changing the essential features of the invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I now claim as:new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- l. The combination, in a planting-machine, of a compensating gravity-balance and mechanism adjusted by said balance and self-retarding in a corresponding degree to the elevation or depression of the planter-frame and the inequalities of the surface of the ground, and operating at intervals automatically upon and independently of the seed-dropping devices, whereby the time of dropping the seed may be governed without checking the flow of the seed, as specified.

2. The combination, in a planting-machine, of a compensating gravity-balance and the mechanism for registering t the variation in movement of the planter-frame and retarding automatically and at intervals mechanism for operating the seed-dropping devices, for the purpose described.

3. The combination, with a weighted balance-lever suspended upon a planter, of mechanism adapted to be acted upon by said lever to elevate the guide-track and mechanism for registering automatically the variation produced in the movements of the planter-frame, and also acting to retard at intervals mechanism for actuating the seed-dropping devices, for the purpose described.

4. In a plantingmachine, the combination, with aweighted balance-lever suspended upon the carriage, of mechanism for actuating the cams and mechanism for registering automatically the variation in movement of the planter-frame, and acting upon said cams automatically and at intervals to retard their movement, and mechanism actuated by said cams for dropping the seed, as described.

5. The combination, in a planter, of a disk rigidly fixed to a rotating shaft of an independently-rotating disk provided with suitable cams andheld by tension in frictional contact with the fixed disk and rotated by friction, as and for the purpose specified.

6.' The combination, in a planter, ofa disk rigidly fixed to a shaft and provided with an engaging device and adapted to be rotated, and an independently-rotating disk adapted to be automatically retarded by said engaging device, means for operating automatically the said engaging device, and a stationary cam on the planter in the path of said engaging device, for the purpose described.

7. The combination, in a planter, of a weighted lever, a yoke adapted to be operated by said lever, and a guide-track on said yoke, a disk rigidly fixed to a rotating shaft on the planter provided with an elevatingarm and pawl, and an independently-rotating ratchet-toothed disk held by tension and adapted to be rotated by friction, and having suitable cams, the oscillating lever attached to the seed-dropping devices, and a fixed cam on the machine in the path of the elevatingarm and pawls, for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JUSTIN E. PAGE. Witnesses:

FRED. XV. PERKINS, '1. B. THoMPsoN. 

